IP Library › Patent Application 19140271
Patent Application
App. No. 19/140,271

POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
19/140,271
Abstract

A power generation system ( 10 ) according to the present disclosure includes: the first underground structure ( 121 ) provided in an underground (A) and defining an internal space (IS) ; a water discharge controller ( 123 ) that controls discharge of water (wt) retained in the internal space (IS) ; and a power generation unit ( 124 ) disposed at a position where the water (wt) is retained in the internal space (IS) or a pipeline ( 127 ) communicating with the internal space (IS), the power generation unit ( 124 ) generates electric energy from hydraulic energy generated by discharge of the water (wt).

Claims (25)

1 . A power generation system comprising:

a first underground structure provided in an underground and defining an internal space;

a water discharge controller configured to control discharge of water retained in the internal space; and

a power generation device disposed at a position where the water is retained in the internal space or a pipeline communicating with the internal space, the power generation device configured to generate electric energy from hydraulic energy generated by discharge of the water.

2 . The power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an operation instruction device configured to determine whether or not a water level of the water retained in the underground structure is equal to or higher than a water level threshold, transmit a water discharge command for discharging water from the first underground structure to the water discharge controller if it is determined that the water level is equal to or higher than the water level threshold, and transmit a water discharge stop command for preventing water from being discharged from the first underground structure to the water discharge controller if it is determined that the water level is lower than the water level threshold, wherein

the water discharge controller causes the water to be discharged from the first underground structure when receiving the water discharge command, and prevents the water from being discharged from the first underground structure when receiving the water discharge stop command.

3 . The power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the operation instruction device determines whether or not an electric energy amount, which is an amount of the electric energy generated by the power generation device, is increased when the water discharge controller is causing the water to be discharged from the first underground structure, transmits the water discharge command to the water discharge controller if it is determined that the electric energy amount is increased, and transmits the water discharge stop command to the water discharge controller if it is determined that the electric energy amount is not increased.

4 . The power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the water discharge controller includes a drain port provided in the first underground structure and a closing member that closes the drain port, causes the water to be discharged from the first underground structure by removal of the closing member from the drain port, and prevents the water from being discharged from the first underground structure by attachment of the closing member to the drain port.

5 . The power generation system according to claim 1 further comprising:

one or more second underground structures provided in the underground, provided at a higher position than the first underground structure, and defining an internal space;

one or more pipelines configured to allow two or more of a plurality of underground structures including the first underground structure and the one or more second underground structures to communicate with each other; and

one or more of the power generation devices, wherein

one or more of the power generation devices are disposed at positions where the water is retained in any one or more of the first underground structure, the one or more second underground structures, and the one or more pipelines.

6 . The power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a water discharge device configured to accommodate the water discharged from the first underground structure.

7 . An energy storage system comprising:

the power generation system according to claim 1 ; and

an energy storage device configured to store the electric energy generated by the power generation device.

8 . The power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the generated electric energy is stored in a storage battery or in a fuel cell.

9 . The power generation system according to claim 8 , wherein a power usage device operates using electrical energy output from a power output device or from the storage battery.

10 . A power generation method comprising:

a water level detection device that detects water level and determines the water level is equal to or higher than a water level threshold;

a drainage control device drains the water if the water level is higher than the water level threshold;

a power generation device generates electrical energy from hydroelectric energy accumulated in association with the drained water; and

an operation instruction device determines amount of electrical energy being generated by the power generation device is decreasing or increasing and stops water drainage if the amount of electrical energy being generated is decreasing.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 1, 2026
From: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
To: NTT, INC.
Reel/Frame 074164/0675 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2025
From: TAKEUCHI, YOSUKE; ITO, AKIRA; MAKINO, RYO; TAMAMATSU, JUNICHIRO
To: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 072195/0696 →